PHOENIX – Admiral Schofield watched the way Jordan Bowden practiced in the days leading up to Tennessee basketball facing No. 1 Gonzaga and felt he was seeing the junior guard being his regular self.

But Friday brought a moment Schofield called disheartening, as Bowden rolled his ankle in a “freaky” manner before Tennessee started its final practice before going to Phoenix.

Bowden spent the following two days receiving treatment in advance of Sunday afternoon’s game. And he felt fine Sunday – before and after the 76-73 win for the No. 7 Vols.

“It felt good to knock some shots down,” Bowden said.

The Knoxville native wasn’t the headliner for Tennessee (7-1) against top-ranked Gonzaga (9-1). That was Admiral Schofield. But Barnes mentioned Bowden in the same breath for his contributions to Tennessee’s outstanding win against the soon-to-be former top squad. He also praised strength and conditioning coach Garrett Medenwald and trainer Chad Newman for having Bowden ready to play after his rolled ankle.

Tennessee's Admiral Schofield (5) and Grant Williams (2) goes into the crowd to celebrate with fans their win over Gonzaga in an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Phoenix. Darryl Webb, AP

Gonzaga's Rui Hachimura (21) is fouled by Tennessee's Admiral Schofield (5) and Grant Williams (2) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Phoenix. Darryl Webb, AP

Gonzaga's Josh Perkins (13) and Brandon Clarke watch while Tennessee's Kyle Alexander, left, begins to celebrate as teammate Yves Pons (35) cradles a last second rebound during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 in Phoenix. Darryl Webb, AP

Tennessee's Admiral Schofield (5) puts up a go-ahead shot against Gonzaga's Brandon Clarke (15) during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018, in Phoenix. Darryl Webb, AP

“He does it in practice all the time,” said Schofield, who had a career-high 30 points. “Coach has been on him about bringing it out in games. It’s just great to see him out there playing with confidence.”

Bowden admittedly felt his confidence grow as the game wore on. His shot kept falling, as he tied a season-high with three 3-pointers. He kept taking them confidently, which only influenced his play on the defensive end.

“It gives you confidence on both sides of the floor,” Bowden said. “You just want to stop your man and keep doing it. It brings big confidence to me.”

Bowden, who came off the bench for the third straight game, provided key defense for Tennessee down the stretch. He was tasked with clamping down Gonzaga’s big-time shooter Zach Norvell, who was giving the Vols all sorts of problems.

Norvell made a flurry of 3-pointers midway through the second half, almost putting UT away when Barnes pushed Bowden to lock down defensively.

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Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) attempts a shot during Tennessee's home finale against Mississippi State at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) makes a dunk during Tennessee's home basketball game against Kentucky at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Tennessee Head Coach Rick Barnes yells at Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) after a play during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) dribbles the ball down the court during a game between Tennessee and Florida at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, February 9, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Texas A&M guard Savion Flagg (1) gets control of a midcourt high pass from Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, in College Station, Texas. Michael Wyke, Associated Press

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) dunks during a SEC/Big 12 Challenge game between Tennessee and West Virginia at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) dunks during a SEC/Big 12 Challenge game between Tennessee and West Virginia at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, January 26, 2019. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) celebrates a foul called against Alabama in the last seconds of the second half of Tennessee's home SEC conference game against Alabama at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) celebrates a call during the second half of Tennessee's home SEC conference game against Alabama at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville on Saturday, January 19, 2019. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) goes for a point as Tennessee Tech forward Courtney Alexander II (22) defends during a game between Tennessee and Tennessee Tech at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, December 29, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) looks to pass during a game between Tennessee and Wake Forest at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, December 22, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) hangs from the rim after dunking the ball in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Memphis Saturday, Dec. 15, 2018, in Memphis, Tenn. Brandon Dill, AP

Tennessee's Jordan Bowden (23) looks to pass during the first half of a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky University at Thompson-Boling Arena Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) calls down the court during a game between Tennessee and Tusculum at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee's Jordan Bowden (23) reacts to a foul called on his teammate during the first half of a NCAA men's basketball game between Tennessee and Eastern Kentucky University at Thompson-Boling Arena Wednesday, Nov. 28, 2018. Caitie McMekin/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) reacts as Loyola-Chicago players celebrate their 63-62 win against Tennessee during the NCAA Tournament second round game at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) goes for a layup during a game between Tennessee and Tusculum at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) dunks the ball during practice at American Airlines Arena on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, ahead of the NCAA Tournament first round game between Tennessee and Wright State. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) reacts after making a dunk during a game between Tennessee and Tusculum at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, October 31, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) drives the ball during a game between Tennessee and Ole Miss at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, February 3, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) walks off the court after the Vols lost 63-62 to Loyola-Chicago during the NCAA Tournament second round game at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) attempts a shot during the NCAA Tournament second round game between Tennessee and Loyola-Chicago at American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday, March 17, 2018. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) during practice at American Airlines Arena on Wednesday, March 14, 2018, ahead of the NCAA Tournament first round game between Tennessee and Wright State. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

LSU guard Randy Onwuasor (14) goes for a layup as Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) defends during a game between Tennessee and LSU at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) reacts after defeating Georgia during a game between Tennessee and Georgia at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Friday, March 2, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) dances in celebration during a game between Tennessee and Georgia at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, March 3, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) passes the ball past South Carolina forward Chris Silva (30) during a game between Tennessee and South Carolina at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Tuesday, February 13, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) looks for an open teammate while defended by Vanderbilt guard Larry Austin, Jr. (3) during Tennessee's home basketball game against Vanderbilt at Thompson-Boling Arena on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. Brianna Paciorka/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) and Texas A&M guard JJ Caldwell (4) battle for possession of the ball during a game between Tennessee and Texas A&M at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Saturday, January 13, 2018. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee guard Jordan Bowden (23) drives the ball during a game between Tennessee and Furman at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee on Wednesday, December 20, 2017. Calvin Mattheis/News Sentinel

Tennessee's Jordan Bowden saves the ball inbounds while defended by Kentucky's Malik Monk. The expression among the players, coaches, and the ref tell their own story. Bowden looks determined to save the ball while his opponent, Monk, registers surprise. The referee is trying to avoid a collision while Kentucky assistant coach Tony Barbee leans back to avoid the referee. And for head coach John Calipari, it's just another day of basketball. SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL

Jordan Bowden attempts to score during the game between DeRoyal Industries and Tillman Companies in the Pilot Rocky Top League tournament at Knoxville Catholic High School on Wednesday, June 21, 2017. SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL

Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes talks with Jordan Bowden in the second half of the game against South Carolina at Thompson-Boling Arena on Wednesday, January 11, 2017. Tennessee lost to South Carolina 70-60. SAUL YOUNG/NEWS SENTINEL

Bowden said he is seeing the game differently now, finding a different perspective in seeing the early minutes of the game from the sideline instead of on the floor. He’s fine with continuing to hold that role, finding ways to spark Tennessee in any way possible.